Public Utilities Analyst/Economist II

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is the state agency responsible for overseeing investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water companies in Massachusetts. It regulates the safety of bus companies, moving companies, transportation network companies, and oversees the safety of natural gas pipelines and the MBTA.

The DPU’s Rates and Revenue Requirements Division seeks applications for a Public Utilities Analyst/Economist II to support the review and analysis of utility rate filings, revenue requirements, rate design, and related regulatory matters. This position offers the opportunity to work on complex finance, accounting, economic, and policy issues that directly affect Massachusetts residents and businesses.

The Public Utilities Analyst/Economist II will use their expertise to conduct economic analysis on regulated utility operations, capital investment decisions, and pricing to retail customers. The successful candidate will join the DPU’s Rates and Revenue Requirements Division, which provides in-depth, holistic economic, financial, accounting, and mathematical and statistical analysis on the regulation, practices, and programs of the electric, gas, and water investor-owned utilities as well as limited oversight of the municipal light plants in the Commonwealth.

In this role, you will utilize your technical and collaborative skills working with other industry experts to develop and formulate recommendations on energy and water issues. If you are seeking a rewarding employment opportunity that harnesses and grows your skills and talents, positively shapes energy and regulatory policy, and impacts the public good while collaborating with a team of dedicated professionals in a collegial work environment, the DPU could be your next exciting career.

Requirements

• At least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the field of economics, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
• A Bachelor's degree with a major in economics may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.
• A Graduate degree with a major in economics may be substituted for the required experience.
• A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in economics may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.
• Excellent quantitative and writing skills.
• Ability to express thoughts in a clear and concise manner.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent oral communications skills are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Applies a broad mix of economic and public policy skills in analyzing issues and cases before the DPU, and will work both individually and as a team member with other analysts, economists, accountants, regional planners, and attorneys on a wide range of cases such as reviewing: electric, gas, and water utility filings for changes in base rate revenue requirements and rate structures; other rate trackers and surcharges; and financing petitions.
• Competency in cross-examining company and intervention witnesses.
• Reviewing, analyzing, and preparing oral and written recommendations for the Commission on utility requests for changes in base rate revenue requirements, base revenue allocations, rate design, other surcharges, as well as financing agreements.
• Participates in all facets of assigned cases, including developing information requests, questioning expert witnesses during hearings, drafting memoranda and policy recommendations, as well as writing sections of DPU orders.
• Provide technical support on matters such as revenue requirements, cost of service, depreciation, taxes, cost of capital and return on equity, ratemaking and rate design, grid modernization, advanced metering infrastructure, electric vehicle infrastructure, net metering, utility owned solar and storage, the interconnection of renewable energy, storm cost recovery/storm funds, pension and post-retirement benefits other than pension, vegetation management, performance incentive mechanisms and performance based regulation, gas system enhancement programs, revenue decoupling, and various other topics as assigned.
• Analyzes rate requests and finance petitions from utility companies; solves problems, devises techniques, and develops recommendations using existing precedent, guidelines, regulations, and policy goals.
• Methodically gather, assimilate, and analyze data and information in documents to identify gaps and inconsistencies, make appropriate inquiries, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Give written and oral instructions in a precise and understandable manner.
• Work productively and effectively both in a team environment and individually with intermittent supervision.
• Issues data requests, cross-examine witnesses, drafts memoranda and sections of DPU orders, and applies mathematical techniques of economic research.
• Responds to consumer, administrative, and utility inquiries.
• Collects, compiles, and reviews economic data obtained from various sources, including other agencies and trade organizations, for economic analysis purposes.
• Maintains major work contacts with professional and technical personnel, utility organizations, agency personnel, as well as other local, state, and federal agencies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level